Anyone have any tips for changing their own oil on the xA? First, I had to remove the little rock guard thing to get at the oil filter. Then I had to jack up one side of the car to actually try and get the filter off. The retarded tech's at Toyota put it on WAY too tight, so it was impossible to get off by hand. Of course, the filter is so close to the oil pan that trying ot get a filter wrench in there is god damn near impossible.

Finally after nearly popping a vein in his forehead, my dad managed to break the filter lookse by hand. What a hassle! We obviously only hand tightened it this time, like you are supposed to. Anyone else know what I'm talking about?

 

There's no need to remove the rock guard to access the oil filter. Just purchase an oil filter socket wrench for the Toyota filter (available at most auto stores and at the Toyo Parts Department) to cut the hassle by half.

Only change the oil when the filter is warm to the touch, not hot. Metal expands under heat so if you changed the oil right after driving, it's going to be a pain to take off the filter.

Also, did you replace the washer when you replaced the filter? It help keeps a tight seal on gasket in case of leaks.

the first time is always the roughest, but after that it gets easy. I can change the oil in my xA in 15 minutes flat without a problem.

 

nope. i can get to the filter pretty easily.

maybe you need better tools. maybe jack up the car higher so you have more room to work and get a filter wrench with a longer arm to remove the filter with less effort.

 

I didn't replace a washer..my dad was down there changing the filter, I'm pretty sure he took the old one off, lubed up the new one and threaded it on. I'm thinking of buying those plastic things you can roll up the two front tires onto, instead of having to jack the front end up.

How do you guys get a filter wrench to work? I tried two different kinds, both I was unable to get good leverage.

M-Flo, what is your method that you use to get it done so quickly? Do you jack up the car? Please explain. Thanks.

 

moved...


this car is soooooo easy to change the oil... i do not know why you find it so hard....

i can do it with out jacking it up. just reach under there and its done.
if you jack it up on the drives side (helps flow the oil towards the drain. you can do it.
there are about 20 diff size oil wrench caps, find the one that fits your filter...

 

Don't buy the ramps. It's easier to just get a good floor jack (20 bucks or so) and jack one side of the car up enough to access the filter and drain valve. Don't use the jack the car comes with. It's annoying to set up and takes a bit of time to lift up the car.

You'll need something like this Toyota oil filter cap and a socket wrench. You wouldn't need to adjust anything or need leverage with the cap.

My method is with good tools and easy access to them. I change the oil for all my cars and my family's cars so it's a lifesaver.

My usual tools are:
Floor Jack, stands, and a shop creeper to comfortably get under the car - 30 dollar package at autozone

Socket wrench set and oil filter cap - You'll only need the 12 mm socket for the drain valve and the oil cap for the filter.

Oversized oil catch pan - Oil messes are a pain to clean up. Do it right the first time. I have one with a convienent nozzle to pour the used oil back into the empty containers for recycling.

dispensible latex Gloves and plastic sheets - same reasons as above, keep it clean and it gets so much easier.

Funnel - Pretty much speaks for itself?

Orange Cleaner - In case you need to wipe off any oil, this stuff breaks it down fast.

It may sound like a hassle to get all these tools, but I wind up saving 300 bucks a year on oil changes by doing it myself so it's plenty worth it for me.

 

bah who need wheel ramps or a car jack with the stock heigth i can squeeze my self under there with breathing room and attact the oil filter from up top

 

lol i pay 21 bucks for someone to do it, changing oil sucks

 

Heh, I went out to take a look at this filter when I read how hard of a time to change it was.

I popped the hood, reached down and twisted... (got long arms) I tightened it back up because it wasn't time to change it yet.

 

I don't bother...I pay the guys down the street to change mine too. My time is worth millions!

Actually, with kids, work and errands, I have no time to do it myself... and I'm lazy

 

I tend to work it out to cost per hour. 10 minutes and a hand washing saves me about $20 to do myself. Working at a military base, I can use the hobby shop lifts and walk under the car, very handy!

No time to do it yourself? Considering that you save at a rate of $100-120 an hour AFTER taxes, only a very few can claim lack of time. Taking 30 minutes off without pay to change your oil likely saves you money if you're the average working American.

 

fwiw, you guys -might find- that a sharpened screwdriver hammered into a filter casing makes it easy to unscrew.

I have not changed oil yet on the new xB so this is just a general suggestion which can save temper when... the "special fit" oil filter wrench does not fit the new brand of oil filter.

dang, what a bother that there are so many styles and sizes of oil filter "wrench styles".. I mean that all the aftermarket filter makers seem to pick out some new and annoying wrench-size pattern

A screwdriver, if you can get it half or full way through, is a universal can remover. A punch out of the bottom first is a good idea. The thing is... fullaoil!

 

i havent used up my 3 oil changes yet...but when i do get to my 2000 mile mark i'll def get my tools back from my B in law and get DURTAY. i know shops are supposed to be more convenient and supposed to keep clean with your car....but ive had friends & family come back with oil on their steering wheel, shoe prints and even a glob of oil on their carpet and what it comes down to is i know when im doing it, im being much more careful. HA! who am i kidding, i just like to do it. haha. forget all the other ish.

 

I'm changing mine myself because I'm going Mobile 1 and
hand picking the better oil filters. I'd hate to "trust" a shop
paying these guys $5 an hour to do my oil with quality
products.

If I do it, I *know* it's being done right.

Besides, 6 Quarts of Mobile 1 + TRD Oil Filter = $36

"Synthetic" oil change from local shop $40-45

 

The style of oil filter wrench that works the best is:


See URL below


http://www.toolsource.com/ost/produc...AHBHT6PHPQ3GUC

 

changing the oil on the tc is one of the easiest things for me.
its right there

 

Can somebody provide me with a detailed instruction on how to change oil on a tC? or where I can get instructions. I looked through pages and pages but can't find any matches. Need to know where the filter and drain bolt is (sort of when under the car but can't see anything). And the tools required...I really need to learn how to do this. Thanks!

 

90 % of Toyotas new Car oil filters are located under the manifold heat-shield in the front of the engine bay ( be very careful ) i would recommend a Burn Sleeve ( or lots of patience) to anyone doing regular oil changes on a newer Toyota. You may also want a small band-wrench to help get the factory installed filter loose, or for a gummy, hot, or over-torqued filter, too. The drain plug is almost certainly (Toyota ) 14mm. located on the passenger side. The plug should be facing the rear or the passenger side. Hope it helps.

 

Pretty sure but just need to double check before i screw anything up. Thanks

 

You are correct.